Sánchez attends NATO Parliamentary Assembly Spring Session in Vilnius, Lithuania

WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Linda T. Sánchez (D-CA), Acting Head of the U.S. Delegation to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Parliamentary Assembly (PA), attended the NATO PA 2022 Spring Session in Vilnius, Lithuania, this weekend. The Session was originally scheduled to be held in Kyiv, Ukraine, but was relocated in the wake of Russia's unjust war. The Spring Session is an opportunity for lawmakers from 30 NATO member states to discuss shared goals and reiterate support for Allied nations.

Lawmakers discussed and voted on preliminary draft reports related to NATO's key priorities. During the Session, Congresswoman Sánchez addressed colleagues and presented her draft report on the impact of climate change on NATO's security, which will be finalized at the Madrid Annual Session in November.

"Climate change is causing a multitude of long-term challenges, all of which have major security implications for our Alliance and beyond. Growing resource scarcity, loss of livelihoods, and displacement will likely exacerbate local and international tensions, fueling violence and conflict," said Congresswoman Linda T. Sánchez. "NATO has voiced its intention to emerge as the leading international organization when it comes to understanding and adapting to the impacts of climate change on security. Now, the Alliance must translate these words into action."

Congresswoman Linda T. Sánchez continued: "NATO must integrate climate considerations in all its policies, identify national vulnerabilities that may affect the Alliance's collective resilience to climate change, and play a central role in strengthening cooperation on climate change resilience."

During the Spring Session, Congresswoman Sánchez joined her colleagues in meeting with the Ukrainian delegation to NATO PA, where she voiced her unwavering support for Ukraine and the Ukrainian people defending their country. She also voted for NATO PA declarations on Standing with Ukraine and Confronting Russia's Threat.

"All nations, including Ukraine, have the freedom to choose whether they want to join any treaty or alliance. That is a core principle of our Alliance, and Russian military action will not and cannot change this fundamental right," said Congresswoman Linda T. Sánchez. "The United States stands with our NATO allies as we continue to hold Russia accountable and increase financial and humanitarian support for our Ukrainian friends."

Additionally, Congresswoman Sánchez met the leader of the Belarus Democracy movement, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, and with the Swedish and Finnish delegations regarding their pending application for NATO membership.

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